About Jesse M.

IntermediateLearn about rhythm, melody, harmony, and dynamics, and how they apply to the saxophone. Explore the range of your instrument through various scales. Build solid skills through understanding the mechanics of how your body and instrument work together.

About Jesse

*Disclaimer*I'm currently not taking beginner students on guitar, bass, drums, piano, ukulele, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, flute, and saxophone. I highly recommend my studio partners Tyler and Melissa though. Please check out their profiles for the following topics:

I've been playing with classical ensembles and rock bands since 2001. Even though I started on classical trombone and rock guitar, I have come to expand my repertoire to a variety of instruments and genres. During my time in college I performed with the University choir, orchestra, and band. I also have organized, wrote/arranged for, and performed

with a variety of bands in my home state of New Mexico, as well as Japan, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 2006 I have been an active teacher. This profession has taken me everywhere from working with classical guitar classes in New Mexico high schools to Elementary students in Japan to a variety of private students of various musical instruments and genres everywhere I've been. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2010, I've had the pleasure of working with lots of great students from kids to adults with a wide range of ambitions. Since 2012 I've been running my own full time studio.

Philosophy of Learning

Lessons are generally designed to work towards giving students the tools to accomplish their goals and become increasingly independent over time. While all students will study similar fundamentals regarding technique, theory, and performance, every lesson is as different as every person. What kind of music do you want to make? I'll tell you what you need to do to get there, and help you take the steps to achieve your aspirations.

I also love to help students put together a song, record, and produce it for them so that they can have a recording to share with their friends and family.

I also hold events for my students. (Check out our pictures and videos below!)Younger students have opportunities to perform for friends and family at my studio every few months. Once or twice a year we'll also stage a larger event off site for more individual students and bands classes to perform.Adult students also occasionally have events where they get a chance to get together and play music as well.

Aside from in-studio lessons, students also have the option to sign up for online lessons via Skype.(*Online lessons offered during different times than in-studio lessons.)

*Unfortunately due to scheduling issues, I'm not currently accepting students for bi-weekly lessons. I can do regular weekly lessons, or occasional drop-in lessons, but bi-weekly appointments make it really hard for me to give the best scheduled times to my existing weekly students. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

My studio is equipped with:

*Music Stands

*A P.A. System

*Vocal and instrument microphones

*Guitars, Basses, Ukulele, Banjos, etc

*Two guitar amps and a bass amp

*Various percussion including a fully equipped acoustic drum set

*A Roland V-Drums electronic drum set

*An electric piano console and Yamaha organ

*A MicroKorg Synthesizer

*A Tuba, Trombone, Cornet, Saxophone, and Flute

*An extensive physical and virtual music library

*A recording system that students are not only welcome to use but encouraged to

Reviews

Kalena July 31, 2018·Trumpet·In studio

Our son has been taking trumpet lessons with Jesse for almost a year now. It’s been a wonderful experience working with Jesse! He is a kind and passionate person. He cares about his students and motivates them in a positive way! Our son comes home telling us how nice and talented Jesse is. We are very happy to be working with him and Jesse is a great teacher!

Sergey July 26, 2018·Singing·In studio

I really enjoyed taking my lessons with Jesse as a novice singer. He is a true professional, and I like how he tailored his approach to my individual style and needs. Can't recommend him enough!

Melissa June 24, 2018·Tuba·In studio

Jesse is a really good teacher in not only just tuba, but music in general. He explains musical concepts in an intuitive way through patterns or playing it out to the student. I really enjoy the lessons I have with him and I feel that I'm becoming a better musician.

Jesse M.

Jesse M.

About Christina A.

Learn to play classics, jazz, pop, and anything else! Saxophone can be a great way to express yourself through music. Learn great technique and have fun!

About Christina

My studio is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. We are committed to meeting those needs. We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry! With over 14 years of teaching experience in both the classroom and privately, my lessons are comprehensive, diverse and individually tailored to each student.

Ms. Tina was born and raised in North Plainfield, NJ and attended college at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ where she received a BM in Musical Theater. Music is not just a job for Ms. Tina...it's a passion.

I continually strive to encourage and motivate my students to explore their individual talents and abilities to their fullest and to have fun! I look forward to working with you

and your family to achieve your music education goals!

...

Reviews

Kathleen N. February 23, 2018·Violin·In studio

Christina is a wonderful teacher with a relaxed and effective teaching style. She has helped me to make tremendous progress in a short period of time.

Cara January 8, 2018·Speaking Voice·In studio

Professional, enthusiastic, compassionate. Very easy to work with, gave me useful advice.

Angela January 3, 2018·Piano·In home

She was wonderful! Incredibly personable and really helped me relax about learning piano again! I'm so excited to see where this takes me :-)

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Christina A.

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Christina A.

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(8)

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$35
/ 30-min

About Kierstyn S.

Specialties in classical, jazz, and popular music on all three saxophones.

About Kierstyn

Kierstyn E. St. John is a pianist, composer, arranger and improviser who possesses an impressive repertoire of more than 500 memorized songs in every genre from classical to jazz to contemporary/pop. Kierstyn is also a talented improviser-- which she can do for hours on end in both classical and jazz styles. Because she has studied piano for over eighteen years, she has developed extremely impressive technicality from studying everything from Rachmaninoff to Bill Evans to Dream Theater. Furthermore, her performance experience has given her an innate talent of programming. She knows exactly which songs to choose for a certain gig; if you give her a genre, she can make a setlist that exactly suits the needs of your arrangement.

She has performed extensively in venues such as the Wigwam Resort, and the Ground Controls in Goodyear and in V

errado. She has played hundreds of events including weddings, memorials, private parties, festivals, and church fairs; Kierstyn was also the accompanist for all three choirs at her high school. She was the principal pianist for Northminster Presbyterian Church for four years and rocked the house as the pianist in the ASU Latin Jazz Combo for two.

Kierstyn just graduated summa cum laude with Bachelor's of Music in Composition at Arizona State University. She has studied with James DeMars, Rodney Rogers, and Kotoka Suzuki. Since attending college, she has been commissioned by Ironwood and Imagine Prep high schools, The ASU Barrett Choir, The Phoenix Art Museum, The ASU Art Museum, and Voices for the Voiceless. In 2014, she won the Four Seasons Women's Composers Competition, and her string quintet "The Monarch" was performed in September by their professional orchestra and her score for the play “Poseidon's Regret” received a nomination for a 2016 ariZoni Award!

...

Reviews

Peter July 20, 2018·Ukulele·In studio

Kierstyn is very knowledgeable and very easy to understand and work with.

Jacob September 13, 2017·Piano·In home

Very well trained piano teacher. Was able to teach the kids in a meaningful way that hooked them on learning the piano.

Jacob September 9, 2017·Guitar·In studio

Kierstyn had the incredibly unique ability to teach me every single song I wanted to learn while still teaching a range of classical, jazz, and pop fundamentals all along the way. I couldn't recommend her more.

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Kierstyn S.

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Kierstyn S.

Online

(5)

starting at

$25
/ 30-min

About Dave G.

Success in playing any saxophone demands breath control. That's the first ingredient in tone production. And tone production for each type of saxophone is different. Then, arpeggios and scales and intervals, to learn finger coordination and the shapes of sounds. I create individual assignments depending on each student's need.

About Dave

Thank you for visiting my page! You've come to the right place. Over the past several years, I've helped dozens upon dozens of music students of all ages and skill levels improve their skills at playing saxophone, clarinet, and flute. Along with basic theory, tone production, music reading, and intonation, I teach jazz and beginning improvisation, concert band, blues, soul, and R&B.

My school-age students win chair placements, place well in auditions, and some win awards. Some examples: recently, one of my sax students won the M.J. Brown Family Performing Arts Music Award, and an 11-year-old flute student won both Most Improved Jazz Student and Outstanding Achievement in his orchestra class.

My adult learners have fun re-connecting with their instrument of choice. Most students have been with me for one to three years.

Students

thrive on structure and goals, and I have developed a unique approach to practicing that gets results. I teach all ages and skill levels to play saxophone, clarinet, and flute. I cover many styles, from concert band, to jazz, blues, soul, and R&B, theory, tone, articulation, and more. I am experienced with preschoolers to middle school-age children, high school and college ages, nervous adult beginners, and special needs students.

I recommend the following lesson structure:• First-time beginners: one 30-minute lesson per week• Older beginners to intermediate students: one 45 minute lesson per week• Advanced students: 60 minutes once each week

My approach to lessons is to support a competition-free environment where every level of player can feel comfortable, have fun, and make fast and steady progress. Students are also encouraged to participate in all-ages jam sessions, and at our recitals.

I work from my home studio on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Centrally located in La Mesa, my studio is just a few minutes east of Qualcomm Stadium. Plenty of free parking, and parents are encouraged to sit in during lessons.

On Thursdays, I'm in my La Jolla studio on Girard at La Jolla Music.

My own teaching experience includes private post-secondary, SDSU’s College of Extended Studies, and I’ve facilitated and run woodwind master classes at Grossmont and Valhalla High Schools.

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Reviews

My D. May 30, 2017·Saxophone·In home

I highly recommend Dave, he is an awesome teacher! Dave is very knowledgeable, gave my daughter confidence from her first Sax lesson. He knew exactly what my daughter needed to work on.

Jim November 18, 2015·Saxophone·In home

What impresses me about Dave is that he adds humor to the lessons, yet is still firm about getting the point, or lesson across to my son. My son enjoys the lessons and looks forward to seeing Dave. I highly recommend Dave as an instructor.

Dawn November 18, 2015·Saxophone·In studio

Dave is a patient, professional teacher who holds students to a high standard. He not only instructs, but motivates learners to achieve their best level of play. Dave also shows interest in student's academics and other extracurricular activities, He is personable and easy to relate to.

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Dave G.

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Dave G.

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$35
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About Aaron H.

I am a Juilliard trained musician that has been teaching the saxophone for more than 10 years now. My students have gone onto win state competitions and awards in music, as well as get in honors bands. They have also been admitted to Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard. I can teach all levels from beginning to advanced musicians.

About Aaron

Saxophonist and Producer Aaron Holbrook is a Juilliard trained musician who has performed and toured with many notable artists

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Reviews

Erica S. December 4, 2017·Saxophone·Online

Aaron has really inspired my son to pick up the Sax again after a six month hiatus. Aaron pushes him musically and challenges him daily on scale work, music theory and song performance. I could not be happier.

Connie P. October 15, 2017·Saxophone·Online

Aaron was patience and she felt comfortable with him.

Lee August 30, 2017··

I have been taking soprano saxophone lessons with Aaron for about 8.5 months now. Aaron is enthusiastic, energetic and knowledgeable. His serious training shines through and he encourages your development along the lines that the student desires. Your musical goals become his for you. I am fortunate to have him as my teacher.

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Aaron H.

Columbus, OH 43240

(7)

starting at

$50
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About Aaron R.

Learning an instrument, like learning a language, should be an interactive experience with a continuous flow of feedback. It should also be fun, with the opportunity to use each new skill in real life and on a daily basis.

Over the past 12 years, I have had the opportunity to study the saxophone (as well piano, composition, arranging, film scoring, and songwriting) with some of the most creative and talented teachers from Los Angeles, New York, and Portland, OR, including world-renowned saxophonists Bob Mintzer (of the Yellowjackets) and Bob Sheppard. Through my years of studying and teaching beginning and intermediate saxophonists, I believe it is the teacher's job to "teach the student how to teach themselves" by giving them the tools and critical feedback needed to excel not only in learning a new instrument, but in all aspects of music and life.

About Aaron

I am a professional saxophonist, composer, and songwriter with a particular passion in writing music for films and video games. Growing up near Portland, Oregon, I was surrounded by friends who were engrossed by jazz, classical, and rock music, and immediately wanted to be a part of it. Throughout high school, I had the opportunity to perform in New York City, Atlanta, and Monterey with the award-winning American Music Program, as well as record on numerous occasions with Grammy-award-winning artist Esperanza Spalding.

Since coming to live in Los Angeles, CA in 2013, I have been involved in both the jazz and pop music scenes as a performer and arranger, leading my own groups and music directing for others. I have also been involved in the film scene, composing the music for 16 short films, 5 independent video games, and a 3-episode

web series. (You can also see/hear me play a few notes in 2014's "Whiplash")

In my lessons, I am happy to cover everything from beginning techniques on the instrument, being able to improvise in any context or genre, and working in a recording studio setting.

I strongly believe in the values of listening, improvising (both in music and in life), and perceiving every instance and detail as a chance to learn. These are the values on which I base my teaching, as well as my own music.

I am a lover of all kinds of music, movies, video games, hiking, traveling, and Mexican food.

Aaron R.

Aaron R.

About Max B.

I love teaching woodwinds and sharing my passion for music with my students. I have been teaching students from five to fifty-two for almost six years. I hope we can work together soon!

As a performer I have toured all across North America, Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia and earned awards from organizations including Downbeat Jazz Magazine, the US Embassy and the Frank Huntington Beebe Fund.

About Max

Max Bessesen is a performer, teacher and composer based in Chicago, IL. His skills as a saxophonist and woodwind doubler have taken him across North America, Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia and earned him awards from organizations including Downbeat Jazz Magazine, the US Embassy and the Frank Huntington Beebe Fund. The first jazz musician ever to receive a grant from the Beebe Fund, Max spent 2016 in Chennai, India researching the rigorous and systematic South Indian Classical system and applying this knowledge to the music of the African Diaspora.

Max has had the pleasure of preforming with such jazz icons as Ingrid Jensen, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dayna Stephens, Billy Drewes, Abraham Laboriel, and Allison Miller among others. In addition to his jazz work Max has recorded and performed with musicians from the pop and

world music realms including The Fray, Simone Shaheen, and Gonzalo Grau. Max currently holds degrees in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Law & Society from Oberlin where he studied with Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, and Billy Hart. He performs regularly with his working band Echoes.

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Reviews

Pete December 3, 2017·Saxophone·In studio

Highly recommended. Max has plenty of musical knowledge and knows how to pass it along in a way students can understand. He's an effective, enthusiastic, encouraging teacher, and an all-around good guy. He's serious about his craft, yet still calm, cool, and relaxed. Take your sax playing to the Max.

Sofia November 18, 2017·Saxophone·In studio

Max was a very positive and supportive teacher. I really appreciated that he took what I wanted to improve on and found things that would help me with that.

Marius H. August 17, 2017·Saxophone·In home

Very patient instructor.

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Max B.

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Max B.

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starting at

$30
/ 30-min

About Maureen W.

Hi there! I am a classically trained saxophonist with a Masters from Peabody Conservatory and over 16 years of teaching experience. I tailor my lessons based on your interests and skill level, finding pieces you enjoy which challenge you. I can also give you a strong sense of the fundamentals, focusing on intonation, finger technique, vibrato and tone. Looking forward to hearing from you!

About Maureen

Welcome to online saxophone lessons! While studying with me we will focus on practice techniques to develop your speed, vibrato and intonation (one of the most important aspects of a good sound!) For students in grade school, lessons can help your skills in band class and in participation in solo and ensemble. It is a great chance to perform works before doing an important audition! In my private teaching I have also focused on playing group pieces with my own arrangements of pop music, like Usher and Rihanna! I find it really enjoyable and it allows my students to challenge themselves while working in a different format than they are used to.

I learned classical saxophone at Peabody Conservatory in Maryland, where I have a bachelor's and master's degree. I performed in wind ensemble and quartets. Currently I play in the Capital Wind Sy

mphony in D.C., where we perform concert pieces for wind ensemble. I also teach at the Levine School of Music, which is very exciting since I studied there as a teenager! Thanks for your interest and I look forward to working with you!

...

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Maureen W.

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Maureen W.

Online

starting at

$35
/ 30-min

About Louis A.

Discover or improve your mastery of saxophones from the Soprano to the Baritone with of course the standards Alto and Tenor!Enjoy playing these incredible horns and crafting your sound! Turn music into your second nature and sax into your own voice!

About Louis

Hi!My name is Louis and I play and teach Clarinets, Saxophones and voice. I am a Classical, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Jazz and Pop musician freelancing in NYC. Join my studio and connect with numerous other musicians!

...

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Louis A.

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Louis A.

Online

starting at

$42
/ 30-min

About Altavia G.

Kids working with kids! Many times kids maybe be scared or not understand what a adult is trying to say. But with child on child help your child is more likely to understand the instruction they may also have more to relate to and can often be a more comfortable environment . Child up to 12 (Tutor is 14)

About Altavia

I’m 14 I’ve been playing the alto sax for 4 years now I love children I volunteer at church and help children learn about Jesus I have what many people don’t a relationship with the child making the child feel as if they have a friend believe it or not that can make a huge difference when it comes to learning music. Also it create a safe and comfortable environment.

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